Giant, feathered dinosaur with massive claws and tons of teeth found in China

Key Points:

• Therizinosauria, a group of theropod dinosaurs known for their massive claws and feathered bodies, were primarily plant eaters despite their fearsome appearance.
• A new study introduces Kayrasaurus changliensis, discovered in northeastern China, as the largest and possibly the weirdest therizinosaur ever found, measuring nearly 12 feet long and weighing between 250 to over 600 pounds.
• K. changliensis is distinguished by its unique dental features, including a severe underbite with 45 teeth in the lower jaw and 32 in the upper, surpassing other large therizinosaurs in tooth count.
• Unlike smaller, more agile therizinosaurs, K. changliensis had a heavy, sturdy build suited for biting rather than running, with jaw characteristics suggesting a herbivorous diet.
• Despite its intimidating size and teeth, paleontologists believe K. changliensis was strictly herbivorous, contradicting fictional portrayals of similar dinosaurs as carnivorous predators.